On 3 April 2020, the Singapore Government announced that it will be implementing elevated safe distancing measures to curb increasing local transmissions of Covid-19. One of the measures is to close most physical workplace premises, save for those providing essential services and in selected economic sectors which are critical for local and global supply chains. Work and business activities that can be carried out via telecommuting from home should continue. These heightened safe distancing measures will be in place for four weeks from 7 April 2020 until 4 May 2020 (both dates inclusive).

In response, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (“IPOS”) has stated that that it will take further steps to protect the well-being of its employees, customers and stakeholders effective from 7 April 2020. IPOS will close its physical office, allowing its teams to work from home to support IPOS customers. Set out below are the key points to note:

For those matters requiring a response between 7 April 2020 to 7 May 2020 (both dates inclusive), IPOS will extend all filing deadlines to 8 May 2020. This extended deadline also applies to cases under IPOS’ Hearings and Mediation Department. The period of priority for manual filings will be extended to 8 May where the final day of the priority claim period falls within 7 April 2020 to 7 May 2020. The deadlines highlighted are automatically extended and applicants need not file any deadline extension requests.

During the office closure period, IPOS e-filing services will continue to operate. For submissions and transactions, IPOS encourages the use of its online portal, IP2SG, at www.ip2.sg, or its mobile app IPOS Go.

IPOS will conduct all e-appointments via telephone calls and/or e-mail while all business and legal clinics will be conducted via tele-conferencing. IPOS will suspend all face-to-face consultations until further notice.

In addition, we have a cross-disciplinary Covid-19 Legal Task Force consisting of Partners across various practice areas to provide rapid assistance. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at covid19taskforce@allenandgledhill.com.